Bangladesh: Government Establishes New Election Commission

In Bangladesh, the interim government announced the formation of a new Election Commission on Thursday. The five-member commission will be led by former secretary AMM Nasir Uddin, appointed as the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) for the next five years. Nasir Uddin retired in January 2009.  

The other members of the commission are Md Anwarul Islam Sarker, a retired additional secretary; Abdur Rahmanel Masud, a retired District and Sessions judge; Begum Tahmida Ahmed, a retired joint secretary; and Brig Gen (retd) Abul Fazal Md Sanaullah.  

President Mohammed Shahabuddin made the appointments in accordance with Section 118 (1) of the Constitution of Bangladesh. The Cabinet Division issued a gazette notification to confirm the formation.  

This development follows the resignation of former CEC Kazi Habibul Awal and four other election commissioners on September 5, a month after the fall of the Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League government.  

Since the interim government assumed power, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and several other political parties have urged swift action to establish the Election Commission and implement necessary reforms ahead of the next national election.  

Media reports indicate that Nasir Uddin was one of two candidates proposed by the BNP for the role of CEC. However, there are no reports suggesting that the views of the ousted Awami League were considered during the formation of the new Election Commission.